We took our popular Food for Thought dental student outreach program on the road to Kirksville today to introduce ourselves to the first ever class at ATSU's MO School of Dentistry and Oral Health. Dean Chris Halliday and his staff have been very welcoming to the MDA and even included student member dues in tuition. All 42 of the first year students were in attendance as we rolled out pizza lunch and then explained our desire to help them throughout their school and dental career.

Our first speaker was Dr Lynne Barbour, immediate past president of the MDA. She shared the ins and outs of organized dentistry and sold the value of continued engagement with your professional association. Next up was Dr Amanda Fitzpatrick, a 2009 UMKC grad from nearby LaPLatta. She shared what getting a career started post graduation was like. Based on the questions she drew, it was a topic already on the mind of these young students.

We finished the day with cash and gift card giveaways. Who doesn't like that? All in all it was a great first step. I'm excited to see these students and our relationship with MOSDOH grow over the years.

Tomorrow they all load buses and head to St Louis for the groundbreaking of the new clinic they will attend for third and fourth year. Never a dull moment and not a minute too soon!